Heart Rhythm

Hearts should have normal rhythm to their beats, but when these beats are out of synch, it causes inefficient pumping of blood. Irregular heart arrhythmias occur when the electrical signals that coordinate the heart's beats do not work properly. This can cause beats that are too fast (tachycardia), or too slow (bradycardia). Tachycardias include atrial fibrillation (AFib), supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia (VT). Bradycardias include sick sinus syndrome and conduction block. Electrophysiology arrhythmia treatments include medications, life style changes, and the EP lab interventions of catheter ablation, and implantable pacemakers or defibrillators.

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AI-powered ECG analysis could boost care for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Advanced algorithms can pick up on key details in a 12-lead ECG that human readers are unable to see. 

AFib, AI and heart-healthy diets: European Society of Cardiology previews EHRA 2022

The European Heart Rhythm Association's annual conference is headed to Denmark. 

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Screening older patients for AFib during regular care is feasible, but not productive

Screening did provide some value for patients 85 years and older, but more research is still required. 

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DOACs an effective substitute for VKAs after AFib patients undergo bioprosthetic valve replacement

Direct oral anticoagulants are noninferior to vitamin K antagonists when treating this important patient population, researchers reported. 

CRT-D

CRT-D associated with major improvements among older HFrEF patients

The study's authors said CRT use among older patients represents a "major gap in knowledge." 

The Vektor Medical vMap system takes standard 12-lead ECGs and converts them into detailed electro anatomical maps for us in catheter ablation procedures.

Electrophysiologists debut new technology that builds interactive cardiac maps out of 12-lead ECGs

The solution, which gained FDA clearance in November 2021, is now being used by specialists at the University of California San Diego Health.

The Freezor Cardiac Cryoablation Catheters

FDA expands two Medtronic cardiac cryoablation catheters for AVNRT

The two single-use devices are now approved for the treatment of pediatric AVNRT.

4 new medications and technologies that could transform cardiology in 2022

The FDA has already approved one of the medications, with a decision on another expected by the end of April.